Elsie Irons

Elsie (Magnusson) Irons asked The Great Spirit to reunite her with her recently departed son, Jerry, and her prayers were answered. Elsie died Friday, May 4, 2012, at Thornton Manor in Lansing, at the age of 91 years, nine months and 28 days, exactly one month to the day her beloved son passed away. She slipped away peacefully with her two daughters by her side, as a storm raged outside her open window, - an appropriate send-off for someone who relished a good thunderstorm.

Elsie was born July 6, 1920, in Waukon, IA to Herman and Mattie (Carlyle) Magnusson, the fifth of six children. She attended grade school in the historic Lansing Stone School, and graduated in 1937 from Lansing High School where she was active in music, basketball, cheerleading and drama. During her teenage years, Elsie worked at the Blackhawk Theater, when movies were still filmed in black and white, and incense was burned nightly. Following graduation, she worked briefly at the Lansing Company.

On May 25, 1940, Elsie was united in marriage to Benjamin "Ben" Irons of New Albin, IA. Two daughters, Gail and Betty, and one son, Jerry, were born to this union. Except for a brief period when Ben worked on road construction, the Irons family made their home on North Second Street in Lansing, in the same "Little House" that was Elsie's childhood home.

A love of nature was instilled in Elsie by her parents at a very early age. Her mom took her for long walks in the woods in search of the first wildflowers of spring, and then looking for hickory nuts and walnuts each Fall. She treasured the time spent with her dad at the old State House located on an island on the Mississippi River. There, he tended birds and animals to be displayed at the Iowa State Fair for the State Game Commission. Some of Elsie's favorite childhood memories were of train trips to Brownsville, MN, where she visited her grandparents, Gaylord and Martha Carlyle. All-day excursions on steamboats from Lansing to La Crosse, WI, which included picnic baskets brimming with food, shopping in downtown La Crosse, and live music on the boat remained a sweet, life-time memory for her.

Elsie was a proud member of the "Second Street Gang", as the neighborhood children dubbed themselves. She enjoyed teaching the next generation of the "Gang" how to play all the games of her childhood. Thanks to her patience and guidance, many kids learned how to fish, ice skate, sleigh ride, create Hollyhock dolls, and make canoes out of birch bark. She hosted many tea parties for the little neighborhood girls, and set up lemonade stands for them to run.

Elsie was a "tree hugger" long before the phrase was coined. She taught her children and grandchildren to "let the trees give you their strength." In her late 60's, she worked along side two younger generations of her family picking apples at an orchard, and she also enjoyed searching for ginseng and mushrooms in the woods. At the age of 80, Elsie was still hiking the hills. She was an avid reader and music lover, as well. Her love of nature, books, poetry and music has been passed down to succeeding generations.

Over many years, Elsie volunteered to raise money for various charities. She also served as a Girl Scout leader, secretary of the PTA, and was a member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary. The school could always count on Elsie to help at any function, whether it was chaperoning a class trip, or making pies for a bake sale. She, also, served on the committee for Lansing Fish Days Venetian Night floats.

Elsie was a fixture on Lansing's Main Street for many decades, making her daily rounds to the post office, shopping, and stopping for coffee at the restaurant. You could almost set your clock by her 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. coffee breaks with her friends. She was a great believer in shopping locally, and tried to support as many local businesses as she could.

Always the champion of the underdog, Elsie was never known to turn anyone in need away from her door, not even the hobos who wandered up from the railroad trains in search of a warm meal. She was always willing to lend a sympathetic ear and a shoulder to cry on over a cup of coffee. Her car door was never locked, and she kept it stocked with blankets, food and water for anyone seeking shelter.

Elsie devoted her entire life to her family. Whether it was wiping the fevered brow of a sick child, helping with homework or creating Halloween costumes, she could always be counted on. The trait she most admired in people was honesty, and saying the words "Honor Bright" meant you absolutely had to tell the truth. She was never known to have raised her voice or her hand, except in defense of a child, and then she became a real tigress. Her "Jewels", as she referred to her children, were the lucky recipients of her unconditional love.

Following an accident many years ago, resulting in a severe head injury, Elsie was lovingly cared for by her daughter, Gail, first in Wabasha, MN, and later in Lansing. Elsie entered Thornton Manor in Lansing in August 2011 following a bout of shingles and pneumonia, and then decided to make it her permanent residence. She enjoyed the social life, especially playing cards and bingo, and making new friends.

Elsie was always there when someone needed her, especially in a crisis. Her healing hands and loving heart served her well at many bedside vigils, including her beloved son, Jerry. Despite her advanced age and infirmities, she mustered the strength to make two visits to his hospital bedside. For six hours, Elsie stood stoically beside her precious son to comfort him in his last hours, a true act of motherly devotion and love.

Left to mourn Elsie are her daughters Gail Terwilliger and Betty (Ric) Zarwell of Lansing; daughter-in-law, Nancy Irons of Holmen, WI; 10 grandchildren, Kim (Sven) Lee, Mitch (Toni) Sickinger, Chris (Janna) Sickinger, Todd Sickinger, Ed (Christin) Walz, Jackie Zarwell-Bachand, Rob Zarwell, Jesse (Jennifer) Irons, Jordan (Amber) Irons and Luke Irons; 17 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great grandchildren; two brothers, Art Magnusson and Horace (Amber) Magnusson all of Lansing; many nieces and nephews; and life-long friends and neighbors (considered family), Joanne Kehr and Ruth Belich, both of Lansing.

Preceding Elsie in death were her husband, Ben (March 28, 2011), her son, Jerry (April 4, 2012); parents, Herman and Mattie Magnusson; two sisters, Jean (Wallace) Rabenberg, and Hermae (age 10 years); one brother, Frankie (age 3 years); and two sisters-in-law, Olga Magnusson and Edith Magnusson.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date to honor Elsie's memory.